On the other hand, Septimus would not calmly wait for the destruction of his army.
Almost 25,000 clone legionaries advanced orderly in square formations of one thousand men.
A river divided both armies, and taking up a good position could prevent the Armenian army from attacking the supply wagons of the clone army.
An army of more than 100,000 men in ancient times required thousands of supply wagons to be able to march.
Destroying or occupying the supplies would mean the end of the entire army.
In less than 15 minutes, the clone legionaries formed into a tight formation and advanced.
Far away, on the opposite side.
The immense Armenian army advanced slowly like a black tide without end.
An Armenian rider made his way through hundreds of soldiers as he headed toward the place where Tigranes was.
"Your Majesty, the enemy is leading a large army and is waiting with all its forces on the opposite bank of the Assanias River," said the rider as he dismounted from his horse and knelt down.
"How many of them are there?" Tigranes asked quickly.
"Judging by the standards, there are five legions," said the rider from his knees.
"Haha, I did not expect there to be fewer than 40,000 soldiers. At this rate, victory is assured," said Tigranes while laughing loudly.
"Your Majesty, we must continue to be cautious and not underestimate our enemy," said Nexus with a humble expression.
Mithridates also looked serious, as he thought about his own dark past.
He boasted of having an army of 300,000 men in Asia, but he was completely defeated by Septimus.
"What are you afraid of? We outnumber them twelve to one. I do not believe that we cannot defeat Septimus with so many men," boasted an Arab sheikh proudly.
"A couple of cowards. I suppose they are afraid of Septimus and the Romans," mocked a tribal chief with an expression of contempt directed at Nexus.
Mithridates and Nexus frowned at the constant mockery and offensive words of the tribal chiefs.
Tigranes interrupted the mockery of the tribal leaders with a gesture of his hand.
"All right, do not worry, you have to trust me, I am the King of Kings," said Tigranes confidently as he looked at Mithridates and Nexus.
After allying with Mithridates, the Armenian army exceeded 360,000 men, and he did not believe that Septimus could change the outcome of the battle.
The tribal leaders stopped paying attention to the cowards from Pontus and began flattering Tigranes.
Mithridates and Nexus were frustrated. After being ridiculed again for his advice, Nexus also remained silent. Now everything was in the hands of fate.
The group led their army to the river and saw the Roman army waiting in formation on the opposite bank.
The entire army was adorned with flags and maintained strict discipline.
The legionaries on the other side of the river had uniform weapons and military equipment.
The thousands of legionaries with expressionless faces and black-colored military equipment formed on the other side of the river.
"It seems that they intend to use this river for their defense," said a tribal chief with slight surprise as he observed the enemy.
Tigranes nodded. "That is right. Unfortunately, what they do not know is that this river is shallow and easy to cross. They are doomed to lose this battle."
"His Majesty is invincible. We congratulate His Majesty on his early victory."
"The Romans are clowns who challenge His Majesty's authority."
"..."
The incessant praise delighted Tigranes, and the slight shock he had felt when observing the Roman army disappeared.
While they evaluated the Roman army, Septimus was also evaluating the army he had in front of him.
What kind of army is this?
Their uniforms were of different colors, their leather armor was incomplete, and some did not even have military standards. How did they intend to command their troops?
Furthermore, the military formation was disorganized; no, it should be said that there was no military formation at all.
It is understandable, considering that less than three months have passed; how could the army maintain such strict discipline?
If it had to be described with a single word, it would be "rabble."
Finally, Septimus understood why Lucullus in the original history had been able to defeat the enemy so decisively.
The enemy army was practically giving away military achievements!
The slight uneasiness Septimus had felt quickly subsided, and with a gesture, the clone legionaries strengthened their determination.
With a loud sound of trumpets, the clone legionaries advanced rhythmically.
25,000 clone legionaries began their forced crossing of the river.
Tens of thousands of Galatian and Numidian horsemen covered the flanks, preparing to launch an attack against the enemy.
Tigranes and the other tribal leaders watched the advance of the Roman army in amazement. How did they dare to attack an army of 360,000 men?
In the perception of the various leaders, a large number of warriors meant a certain victory.
The concept of Roman battle formations was not understood by the various native peoples of the time.
Consequently, the ignorance of Tigranes and the tribal leaders caused them to make a mistake when confronting the clone army.
"Quickly order the troops to prepare to face the enemy," Tigranes roared at all the tribal leaders.
Nexus was the first to act, followed by several tribal leaders.
After all, Nexus was an experienced warrior and quickly began deploying his troops. The Atibini were placed on the left flank, the Mite on the right flank, and his own troops in the center. Many more barbarians had still not arrived on the battlefield.
Upon seeing the deployment of his troops, Nexus could not help but frown.
"Your Majesty, I believe that your heavy cavalry should not be positioned behind the main army, and should be sent to confront the enemy cavalry," said Nexus as he rode his horse and approached Tigranes.
Tigranes' expression changed slightly as he thought; how was it possible that he did not understand that simple logic on the battlefield?
Tigranes simply believed that the battle had already been won and wanted his minions and mercenaries to wear down the enemy so that he could preserve his own forces.
"I understand, I will deploy my cavalry," said Tigranes with a grim expression.
Under the watchful gaze of everyone, Tigranes had no choice but to order the heavy cavalry to move to a small hill, ready to threaten the enemy flank at any moment.